smiling, calm, tight, scared. Praying the “easy” ones through first will build faith in

both seekers and altar workers.

Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with the seeker, prior to praying examples:

What is your name?

What can I pray with you about? For prayer for the Holy Ghost?

Is this your first time to pray for the Holy Ghost?

Do you know how to receive the Holy Ghost?

As you talk to the seeker, use their name.

If there are many people assisting the seeker it is important that only one person

speak in the seeker’s ear – giving directions – at a time. Teamwork is important

(unified effort), but only one person giving instructions.

Always be sensitive to the needs, feelings, frustrations and fears of the seeker.

Many times a seeker does not understand what they are supposed to be doing

and how they are to do it. Help them by giving clearly spoken and easy-to understand

instructions.

COMMON PROBLEMS

It is common in our services today to have many people who have never prayed

before. They don’t know how to pray for the Holy Ghost. They don’t know who

to pray to. Take the time to tell the seeker how to pray. Tell them that Jesus

hears their prayers. Tell them that He wants to answer their prayers.

Many people, especially chronic seekers, do not receive the Holy Ghost because

they have preconceived ideas as to how the Holy Ghost will come.

Discuss their preconceived ideas.

Let them know that rarely does anyone receive the Holy Ghost the way they

think they will.

Chronic seekers often get into a rut of saying the same things over and over again,

like a “stuck needle” on a phonograph. Get them to say and do something else.

For quiet people, encourage them to speak out, to lift up their voice, etc.

Seekers who struggle to break through to the Holy Ghost.

Perhaps they’ve not repented.

Perhaps they have doubt.

Perhaps they doubt God’s willingness and ability to forgive them of their sins.

Whatever the case, these are major hurdles that must be dealt with through

prayer (repentance) and faith before the seeker will be able to receive the

Holy Ghost.

THE DO’S & DON’TS OF ALTAR WORK

Don’t pound or slap a seeker on the back, arms, shoulders, or anywhere else.

Don’t shake the seeker.

Don’t be overcome with emotions while you are working with a seeker. Stay

focused. You are not there to get a blessing yourself (and in doing so forget

about helping the seeker).

Don’t work the altars with bad breath or body odor.

Don’t spit in their face when you are praying with the seeker.

Don’t yell in their ears. Altar services can get very loud. Get close to the

seeker’s ear and ask in a low voice “Can you hear me?” If they are having

trouble hearing you, you can turn up the volume a little at a time until they do

hear your instructions clearly.

Don’t mess up their hair or clothing. Though many try, we cannot shake the Holy

Ghost into a person.

Don’t put words in their mouth to get them to speak in tongues. Never tell a

seeker to repeat after you, or to say something (i.e. “la-la-la”, etc.).

Don’t get in their face (people today are very conscious of infectious diseases).

It is very important that you keep your attention on assisting the seeker.

Get consent from the seeker before you lay hands on them.

Be sensitive, inoffensive, empathic (feel what they feel)

Be perceptive. Observe what they are saying and what they are doing. Look for

both positive and negative signs.

Men can lay hands on the head, shoulder, back or arms of another man.

While seeking for the Holy Ghost, men should ONLY lay hands on the head of a woman seeker.

During prayer a Man can lay hands on the head, shoulder, or hold the hand of a woman

Women can lay hands on the head, shoulder, back or arms of another woman.

Woman should lay hands ONLY on the head of a man seeker.

The “laying on of hands” is for the purpose of transmitting faith.

Be positive in all your comments. Tell the seeker often that they are doing good.

They are usually in unfamiliar territory and your positive comments will often set

their mind at ease.

Encourage them to press on. Many times a seeker will get the Holy Ghost on the

second or third attempt.

Answer any questions they might have. Give your opinion as to what is

hindering them from breaking through to the Holy Ghost. Then, encourage the

seeker to pray again.

Pray out loud with them. When the seeker hears you pray, and even speak in

tongues, it helps them to know how to worship, as well as how to yield to the

Holy Ghost.

TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST THE SEEKER MUST:

REPENT

It is impossible to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost without first repenting.

In order to come to Jesus, the Bible says you must first repent.

To define repentance ... It is asking the Lord to forgive you of your sins, being

sorry for your sins, making a 180 degree turn and going in the other direction,

death to self, saying not MY will but THINE be done, walking toward Jesus.

Have them to understand that they must confess and forsake their sins (Proverbs 8:13).

Repent with them. (A kneeling position is good but not absolutely mandatory.)

Encourage Godly sorrow (It worketh repentance II Cor. 7:10).

Make sure the seeker understands that God loves them and that He will forgive

them. God is faithful. He will cast their sins into the bottom of the sea. He will

throw their sins as far as the east is from the west and remember them no more.

It’s His promise.

HAVE FAITH

The seeker must believe that God will give them the Holy Ghost just as He

promised He would do.

The scripture teaches, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that

cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently

seek him.” --Hebrews 11:6

You should be continually speaking faith into the heart of the seeker.

The reason you lay your hand on the seeker is to transmit your faith to them. If you do

NOT have faith for the seeker to receive the Holy Ghost you should NOT be praying with

them. Your unbelief is transmitted the same as your faith is.

PRAISE THE LORD

Once the seeker has repented, instruct them to lift their hands, and lift their voice,

and start praising God. Just as it is impossible to receive the Holy Ghost without

repenting, it is impossible to receive the Holy Ghost while the seeker is repenting.

He/she must move past repentance and begin to worship God.

Praise is like a magnet that draws the Holy Ghost. He inhabits the praises of His

people (Psalm 22:3).

Praise is acknowledging God for His greatness, excellence, goodness, mercy,

perfection, all that He is, etc.

Encourage the seeker to worship the Lord out loud. Get them to say…

Hallelujah. The highest praise we can give God. It means, “Praise ye Jehovah, frequently rendered “Praise ye the Lord,” stands at the beginning of ten of the psalms (Ps. 106, 111-113, 135, 146—150), hence called “hallelujah psalms.” From its frequent occurrence it grew into a formula of praise. The Greek form of the word (alleluia) is found in Rev. 19:1, 3, 4, 6. –Easton’s

Bible Dictionary

I praise you Lord

I magnify you, Lord

I exalt you, Lord

Thank you Jesus for the Holy Ghost

Some people, especially those who have been exposed to Pentecost of some

Let your voice out loud, let your tongue and mouth go, and allow God to form

the words. Don’t be afraid to speak out what God gives you to say.

The greatest miracle God has ever performed, or ever will perform, is to fill a

seeker with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You should continually encourage

them to believe in the miracle that God is working in their life right now.

If you are feeling the Holy Ghost it is alright, even beneficial to the seeker, for you

to allow the Holy Ghost to speak through you.

WHEN THE SEEKER RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST

There is a hurdle we need to get over in the church. Many have taught that you

never recognize that a person has received the Holy Ghost until they declare

themselves that they have received it. That teaching is okay if you are working

only with chronic seekers. But, if you are working with a brand new seeker, one

who doesn’t hardly know what is happening to them, how can they be expected

to tell us in King James English exactly what has happened to them?

Do not tell the seeker they have the Holy Ghost if they are not clearly speaking in

other tongues. But, if they are speaking in an unknown tongue, you can say to

them:

That’s the Holy Ghost. That is God speaking through you in a heavenly

language. Allow God to speak through you all He wants to.

After it is obvious that the seeker has clearly received the baptism of the Holy

Ghost, encourage them:

Enjoy their new experience with God.

Rejoice with them.

Dance and shout with them before the Lord for the wonderful work He has

done in their life.

AFTER THE SEEKER RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST

If the seeker has NOT been baptized in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ, talk to them about the necessity of water baptism while they are still at the

altar and still feeling the power of God.

Talk to them about the benefits they will enjoy by joining the New Convert’s Class.

If possible, ALWAYS introduce a new seeker to the pastor, pastor’s wife, ministers, elders, leaders and as many other members as possible. When you introduce the seeker to the pastor it is important that you express your love for, appreciation of, and trust in, the man of God.

ALTAR WORKERS RESPONSIBILITIES

Either go forward, to the altar area, with a seeker or to meet a seeker without being publicly asked to do so. Altar workers need to always be ready. It is embarrassing to the seeker and to the church if the pastor has to plead with people to come to the altar to help a seeker receive the Holy Ghost.

At the beginning of the altar call, as incentive for others to go, DON'T LET SEEKERS GO ALONE TO THE ALTAR! Someone step out in aisle and go with them.

Record keepers should be assigned to every altar service. Larger altar services should have several record keepers. Record keepers are NOT people who are also praying with seekers. Their full attention should be on getting proper and complete records.

Visitor Cards are essential to an effective altar service. Make sure an Altar Card is filled out on every seeker, whether they receive the Holy Ghost or not.

If possible, give every seeker a copy of The New Birth Experience (a one-hour personal Bible study available through Home Missions).

A Record Keeper (Pastor) should be appointed, all records should be turned into the Record Keeper before leaving church.

FOLLOW-UP

Every seeker should receive at least three follow-up contacts within three (3) days of receiving the Holy Ghost:

Telephone call from the person who invited the seeker to church. It is important that an invitation to come back to church is issued with sincerity and excitement. Ask if you can give them a home Bible study.

Telephone call from the pastor (or a minister). Congratulations on your new experience. Our church has many services, ministries and programs to offer you and your family. Invite them to attend the New Convert’s Class.

Telephone call from the Record Keeper or New Member’s Class teacher. Congratulations on your new experience. Invite them to attend the New Member’s Class.etc.), you should encourage them:

Let your voice out loud, let your tongue and mouth go, and allow God to form

the words. Don’t be afraid to speak out what God gives you to say.

The greatest miracle God has ever performed, or ever will perform, is to fill a

seeker with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You should continually encourage

them to believe in the miracle that God is working in their life right now.

If you are feeling the Holy Ghost it is alright, even beneficial to the seeker, for you

to allow the Holy Ghost to speak through you.

WHEN THE SEEKER RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST

There is a hurdle we need to get over in the church. Many have taught that you

never recognize that a person has received the Holy Ghost until they declare

themselves that they have received it. That teaching is okay if you are working

only with chronic seekers. But, if you are working with a brand new seeker, one

who doesn’t hardly know what is happening to them, how can they be expected

to tell us in King James English exactly what has happened to them?

Do not tell the seeker they have the Holy Ghost if they are not clearly speaking in

other tongues. But, if they are speaking in an unknown tongue, you can say to

them:

That’s the Holy Ghost. That is God speaking through you in a heavenly

language. Allow God to speak through you all He wants to.

After it is obvious that the seeker has clearly received the baptism of the Holy

Ghost, encourage them:

Enjoy their new experience with God.

Rejoice with them.

Dance and shout with them before the Lord for the wonderful work He has

done in their life.

AFTER THE SEEKER RECEIVES THE HOLY GHOST

If the seeker has NOT been baptized in water, in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ, talk to them about the necessity of water baptism while they are still at the

altar and still feeling the power of God.

Talk to them about the benefits they will enjoy by joining the New Convert’s Class.

If possible, ALWAYS introduce a new seeker to the pastor, pastor’s wife, ministers, elders, leaders and as many other members as possible. When you introduce the seeker to the pastor it is important that you express your love for, appreciation of, and trust in, the man of God.

ALTAR WORKERS RESPONSIBILITIES

Either go forward, to the altar area, with a seeker or to meet a seeker without being publicly asked to do so. Altar workers need to always be ready. It is embarrassing to the seeker and to the church if the pastor has to plead with people to come to the altar to help a seeker receive the Holy Ghost.

At the beginning of the altar call, as incentive for others to go, DON'T LET SEEKERS GO ALONE TO THE ALTAR! Someone step out in aisle and go with them.

Record keepers should be assigned to every altar service. Larger altar services should have several record keepers. Record keepers are NOT people who are also praying with seekers. Their full attention should be on getting prop